Beware of Online Scams: How Singles Over 50 Can Protect Themselves on Dating Sites

Unfortunately, singles who use over 50 dating sites often appear as vulnerable targets for fraudulent online scammers. With the online dating market becoming increasingly popular, many more seniors are joining the online community and therefore attracting fraud committing criminals. It is important to be cautious and vigilant of these possible scams when connecting with other matches online, and looking out for possible red flags that indicate a suspicious person. Here a few warning signs to keep an eye out for:

Asking of personal information - If another person asks you to disclose personal information too quickly, such as your address or phone number, this is an immediate red flag. Personal information can easily be traced back to your location, and scammers may use this as a gateway to gaining access to your personal information and identity. If someone that you've just started talking to asks you to give them your personal information, immediately stop talking to that person.

Confessing their immediate love for you - Scam artists will often to try to escalate the relationship quickly in order to get what they want. By using this method of seduction, they attempt to make the other person fall in love with them in order to increase their vulnerability and gain their trust. These scammers will often use fake identities with fake profiles, attempting to make themselves appear attractive or distinguished to draw people in.

Inability to meet up - Fraudulent thieves will attempt to commit the fraud solely behind an internet screen, and so they will attempt to keep the relationship virtual rather than physical. People who avoid requests to meet up in person are definite red flags of suspicion, although they may be quick to suggest moving the relationship to e-mail or texting in order to escape the privacy restrictions of the site.

Asking for money - This is an absolute don't in the world of online dating. Never, ever, agree to lend another person money who you have met on the internet. Romantic scam artists will often feign a financial crisis, or promise to come visit their victim in exchange for paid transportation, and will ask for money after declaring their love. A person who immediately begins pestering for money, in addition to matching the other traits listed above, may just be a prowling scam artist looking to take advantage of those seeking an actual romantic relationship.

Although online dating over 50 must be approached with an air of caution and vigilance, that does not mean online dating can't be a fun and safe environment to meet a potential romantic partner. As long as you pay attention to these warning signs when connecting with a person over the internet, meeting people via internet can be a great experience that those singles over 50 can take advantage of in this day of age.